The Alpha-1 Foundation congratulates Dr. James Crapo on his new appointment as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and as its interim Chief Executive Officer. The COPD Foundation was founded by the Alpha-1 Foundation co-founder John W. Walsh in 2004 and was used as a vehicle to help identify more patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Washington, DC – July 7, 2020 – The COPD Foundation announces the appointment of James D. Crapo, MD, to Chairman of the Board of Directors and as its interim Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Crapo has been closely affiliated with the COPD Foundation since its inception and was asked to join the COPD Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2007. In addition, Dr. Crapo worked closely with Founder John W. Walsh on multiple initiatives. Dr. Crapo has served on the Executive, Medical and Scientific Advisory and Development committees of the COPD Foundation.
He is Professor of Medicine at National Jewish Health Denver, Manager of BioMimetix JV, LLC, and Principal Investigator for the COPDGene clinical epidemiology project, one of the largest studies ever to investigate the underlying genetic factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. From 1992-1993, Dr. Crapo was President of the American Thoracic Society. He also served as President of the Fleischner Society between 2004 and 2005. For six years beginning in 2003, Dr. Crapo served as a member of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
As chair Dr. Crapo will work closely with the COPD Foundation’s Board of Directors and with relevant members of the leadership team to strengthen the organization’s focus on supporting patients, caregivers and families living with COPD, along with a renewed and strong commitment to excellence in respiratory, scientific research.
“Having been with the COPD Foundation for many years, I am honored to be asked to serve in this new leadership role. I am excited to continue the essential work of improving the lives of individuals impacted by lung disease, which is at the core of the Foundation’s work,” said Dr. Crapo.
Source: COPD Foundation
